Most people are secretly in awe of actors. It’s true. Despite our narcissism, emotional instability, and poverty, people still admire those of us who stick our necks out in this strange and beautiful way. 

And these admirers often ask this question: “Don’t you get nervous?”

When I started out, I was nervous all the time. Auditions made me queasy, performing was the stuff of dread, and I nearly vomited before screen tests.

But after a while the nerves subsided. Part of it was experience, of course, but part of it was that I’d become blasé about it all. And that, it turns out, is a big problem. Not oddly enough, as my nerves went on vacation, my career drifted.

Nerves are a good thing. Nerves = Excitement. Something that is important to you is happening, and your body and mind are responding. If you’re nervous, thank your lucky stars. If you’re not, then find a way to get nervous.

This winter I returned to the stage after a long, long hiatus. On opening night, when the lights came up and I saw a packed house staring at me, I thought I could easily pass out right then and there. But just as I was remembering how to breathe, a little voice in my head said, “You’ll never get anywhere until you do this. So do this, and do it well.”

I don’t advocate becoming a nervous wreck. That’s jut silly. But there’s a healthy dose of insecurity that has to live underneath the cool exterior. So get out of your comfort zone. Do something that will scare you silly. Make sure your art is living in a place where you’re not sure you can handle it.

You can.